Machine for laying reeds.



No. 629,774. Fahamu Aug. l, |899.

V|.,e .m=ue. MACHINE Fon LAYms Rains.

(Application filed Mm*A 6, 1899.) (no under.) 4 sham-sheet 1.

No. 629,774.` Patented Aug. a, |399.

1. s. cms.

MACHlNE FUR LAYlNG REEDS.

(Application med Mar. 6, 1899.;

:No Modem 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

. TH: mums PETER; co.. mmauwc.. wnsnmcl. u.c.

No. 629,774. Patented Aug. I, i899. l. S. CRAIG.

MACHINE FUR LAVING REEDS.

(Application filed Mgr. 6, 1.899.) (No Mode() 4 ShetsfSheet 3 /wwy m Y cams sans co.. Puofsufuo.. wAsmNmo-N. o. c.

Patented Aug. I, i899.

l. S. CRAIG.

MACHINE FOB LAYING REEDS.

(Application lefl Mar. B, 1.899,)

4 sheets-sheet 4.

{Nu Modul.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ISAAC S. CRAIG, OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO ORPIN BROTHERS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

MACHINE FOR LAYINGv REEDS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters `'.Eatent No. 629,774, dated August 1,A 1899i.

Application filed March 6, 1899.V

To @ZZ whom, it 11i-ty con/cern,.- y

Be it known that I, ISA'AG S. CRAIG., acitizen of the United States, residing at Somerville, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and use# ful improvementin machines forlaying reeds in making roll-tops for'desks and like rolls for other uses, consisting of strips of wood glued to lexible backs of canvas pr other suitable materials, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to mechanism for layf ing reeds, or, in other words, covering such iiexible backs with a facing of wood glued thereto in the form of narrow strips or reeds, so as to present a finished wooden surface, the completed product constitntinga roll suitable` forroll-top desks and for other purposes; and the object of my invention is to produce a machine capable of accurately and expeditiously laying reeds upon such glued flexible backs and to automatically clamp the same thereonsuccessively during a progressive movement of said back to the extent desired, and I attain said object by the mechanism illustrated in the'accompanying drawings, in which Figure l represents a front elevation of the machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2is an end elevation of the same as viewed from'. the right of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the same as viewed from the left -of Fig. l. Fig. el is a vertical section of Athe same, taken as on line 4 et, Fig. l', and as; viewed from the left of said line. Fig. Aisa detached rear view of the driving-shaft and its attachments, the shaft being shown as broken to economize space in drawing. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portion yof the beam which guides the canvas or other material to which the reeds are glued and show'v ing clearly the construction by which the lapping of one edge of the canvas over the other as they are guided onto the drum may be et,-`

fected. Fig. '7 is a sectional detail taken as .on line 7. 7, Fig; 4., and asviewed from the right ofvsaid line. Fig. 8 is a sectional detail takenas. on -linerS El, Fig. 4, and as viewed fromvabove said line.V Y

The machine thus illustrated is composed ota frame A, (see Fig. 1,) in which is mounted.

Serial No. 707,840. (No model.)

in suitable bearings a shaft B, which carries a large drum C. `Below the drum there is extended across and attached to the frame a guide-,beam of peculiar construction, one half its length D and the other half D being of unequal diameters, for a purpose which will be explained, and below this guide-beam is a rock-shaft E, carrying a series ot' tension fingers F. Across the front of the frame, above lthe drum, there is extended a rock-bar G, which carries two adjustable edge-rests H H, and through the side of the frame there is an adjustable sliding rod I, carrying an end gage I. Above this bar G and parallel therewith a shaft J, secured in the sides of the frame, carries a series of rolls K K, the ends .of which abut against each other and which are secured in place on the shaft bylshort sleeves lL L, fastened by set-screws. vAbove shaft J is a parallel rock-shaft M, secured Vin the sides of the frame and carrying a series ,of tuckers or curved fingers N, the shaft being actuated in one direction by two spiral'springs P P' and in the opposite direction by a cam mechanism, which will be described. Above M is a parallel shaft Q, which carries a series of grooved pulleys R R', over which and around rolls K on shaft J are extended a corresponding number of weighted steel bands S S. Referring now to Fig. 2, it will be seen that bands Spass from pulleys R to pulleys R', over which they are connected with an equal4 number of weightsT, in-

closed in a wooden casing T', open at its topV and bottom to allowof the movement of the weights to the extent required. These bands are attached at their opposite ends to drum C in a line across the face thereof,` at C and pass thence over theA periphery of =the drum .to and under the rolls K to rolls Rand R' and weights T. The drum C is counterbalanced by aweight attached to a rope U, `which is secured to the drum at U' and passesaround the periphery ofthe same, near one end thereof, and thence over suitable guide-rolls to any convenient place that will aord room for the rise and fall of the weight as the drum is turned.` Qn the low rear portion of the frame are mounted two rolls V V', upon which canvas is wound and indicated only by dotted lines VW and from each of which the can- IOO vas is extended to drum C, passing under the guide-beam D D see Fig. l) and up over the body of .the drum to a set of hooks C2, secured thereto and to which the ends of the canvas drawn from rolls V V are attached. The guide-beam D 'D is formed as shown in Figs. l and 6, part D being larger in diameter than D and eccentric thereto and having a lip D2, which projects over D. This construction of the guides conveniently effects the overlapping o'f the two adjoining edges of the strips of canvas and is for that purpose only. The lip D2 stands off from D, so as to allow one edge of the canvas to pass behind it and be guided by the enlarged end of D4, while the opposite strip of canvas passes over the outside of lip D2 and against the Iiange on the same and is thereby guided to the drum over the edge of the adjoining canvas, thus overlapping the same on the drum. When a simple abutting of the edges only is desired, the end fastening of the guide-beam may be loosened in the frame and the beam reversed or turned half around, so as to bring the straight side of the beam which is opposite the lip D2 around into the position of the lip, when by tightening the beam again in the frame andadjusting the distance apart of the outer edge-guides D3 and D4, so that it will equal the combined width of the two strips of canvas, the adjustment will be complete to simply abut the edges as they are guided onto the drum. Thus the beam is adapted to abutting or overlapping the edges, as may be desired. To keep the canvas smooth and even upon the drum While being wound thereon, the tension-fingers F upon rock-shaft E are employed. The fingers press upon the canvas as it passes between them and beam D by force of a spiral spring F2, shown in Fig. 2 as attached at one end to lever-arm F" and at its opposite end to the frame of the machine. This spring acts constantly by its contractile power to hold flngers F against the guidebeam D, thus placinga check upon the movement of the intervening canvas, keeping the same under proper tension for the purposes stated. A lever E' is also secured to rockshaft E and carries near its upperend a curved catch E2, which is pivoted to E' and overhangs a hub or boss E3 on the frame, which boss has a notch in its upper face into which a tooth on catch E2 drops when arm E' is drawn forward against the force of the spring F2 and secures the leverin that position for the purpose'of relieving the canvas from the pressure of the tension-iingers E when it is necessary or desirable to move the canvas free from the tension thereon.

Mounted in suitable bearings on the rear of the frame is the shaft X, which carries the pulley X', loosely mounted thereon and driven by belt X2, and the clutch mechanism X2, fixed upon the shaft and so constructed that a clutch-pin actuated by a spring concealed in Vthe hub of the clutch interlocks with the pulley, and thereby turns the shaft, except when -claimed for the clutch mechanism itself.

the pin is disengaged from the pulley,hy means of the stopping and starting rod X4, which has a handle X5 pivoted thereto, as plainly shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. When the handle X5 is turned down to ahorizon tal position, as shown in solid lines in said figures, its inner end bears against the frame and draws forward the rod X4, to which it is pivoted and which is arranged to slide in the frame, as shown. A spring on the opposite end of the rod forces it back again when handle X5 is raised to the vertical position shown in broken lines. When the rod is drawn forward, as stated, it releases the spring-actuated clutch-pin,which instantly engages pulley X' and sets the shaft X in motion. When handle X5 is raised, as stated, it allows the rod to be retracted by force of its spring and to instantly disengage the clutch-pin from the pulley, and thus to stop the rotation of the shaft. No novelty is shaft X thus actuated sets in motion an eccentric Y, secured thereon, which, through its connecting-rod Y', operates the pawl-lever Z, and through it the gearing which turns drum C, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. This ratchet mechanism is secured to the side of the frame near the front of the machine and comprises a hand-wheel Z', mounted on a short shaft Z2; a ratchet-wheel Z2, mounted on shaft Z2; an arm Z4, arranged to turn on a projection on frame A and carrying on its outer end a shield which projects over and across the teeth of the ratchet-wheel Z2; a lever Z, mounted on shaft Z2 and carrying a pawl Z5, which engages the teeth of the ratchet- Wheel Z2; a pinion Z6, mou nted upon shaft Z2, which engages a gear Z7,mounted on the drumshaft B, and a pawl ZS, pivoted to the frame and arranged to engage the teeth of the ratchet-wheel and serve as a detent to prevent a reaction of the wheel under the pull of weights T, while the driving-pawl retracts to renew its hold thereon. Through this ratchet `mechanism drum C is turned with an intermitting movement,the extent of which is regulated by the shield on arm Z4, which is interposed between the pawl and ratchet-teeth, so that the pawl during a part of its movement rides upon the shield and is thereby prevented from engaging the teeth, and thus the extent of the movement of the ratchet-wheel may be limited within the range of the pawl to one or more teeth. In practice the throw of the pawl covers four teeth; but it is sometimes necessary to vary the movement of the wheel for reasons which will be stated.

The regulation of the feed movement of the ratchet-wheel Z2 is effected by means of the lever-arm Z4, (see Figs. 4, 7, and 8,) which, as before stated, is arranged to turn on a projection on frame A and carries a shield Z9 between the teeth on tl1e ratchet-wheel and the driving-pawl Z?. The arm Z4 is connected with a short rod Zw, which slides in frame A and at its outer end is pivoted to a handlelever ZH. On the rod isl a spiral spring Z12,

ICO

llO

'one end of which bears against an inner face of the frame opposite the handle Zu. By raising the handle to a horizontal position it draws the rod Z10 forward against the force of spring Z12 and at the same time swings the` arm Z4 on its bearing and carries its shield Z9 farther into the range of` the pawl Z5 and covers the ratchetteeth beneath it to a greater extent, thus preventing its engagement with the teeth covered and shortening its edective action and movement of the wheel. lDropping the handle Z11 into the position indicated in Fig. i allows the spring on rod Z10 to reverse the movement of the parts and allows the driving-pawl Z5 to take more teeth and increase the feed movement in the manner before described. Upon the end of shaft X farthest from the driving-pulley there is fastened a cam Y2. A forked rod YS works upon the shaft back of the cam and carries a roll which is in contact with the face of the cam, as shown in Fig. 3, while the long arm extends forward and upward and connects with a short arm Y4, which is attached to the shaft M, that carries the tuckers N. This cam Y2, acting through rod Y3 on arm Yi, serves simply to open at the proper time the fingers or tuckers N by swinging them outward against the force of the springs P P' on the shaft M, and said springs by reaction after a reed has been put in place to be acted upon turn the shaft M and carry the tuckers into action against the reed and force the same into place under bands Sand against the next preceding reed. The cam Y2 is so adjusted on shaft X relatively to the clutch action that when the clutch mechanism is operated to stop the machine the tuckers invariably stand open when the machine stops, and the feed ratchet-pawl also at such time rests upon the shield and out of contact with the teeth of the ratchetwheel and ready for a forward movement when the clutch is released to start the machine again.

The customary method of producing the work for which this machine is designed is to cover a board or table with canvas of the dimension desired, apply the glue, place the reeds thereon, support the board upon a framework having bars arranged above and extending across the lboard over the reeds, and thensecure the reeds upon the glued canvas by' driving wedges between the crossvbars and tops of the reeds.v When the glue has sufficiently dried, then the product of this comparatively slow and limited hand process is ready for whatever purpose it is designed.

The practical operation of my machine hereiubefore described is as follows: One or more rolls of canvas being mounted on the frame, as at V and V', the ends are drawn to the front of the machine. One, as W, from roll V is passed upward between fingers F and beam D to the drum C, to the circumference of which it is secured by hooks C2. Another strip of canvas W from roll V is passed in like manner under and over beam D and also secured on the drum by other hooks C2.

The inner edges of the canvas will be guided in the manner hereinbefore described, one passing over part D behind lip D2 and the other over lip D2, so that the latter will overlap the former as they pass onto the drum C; but when the beam D D' is turned half around,

as has been described, said edges will abuiv" against each other on the drum. When the canvas has been secured to the hooks C2' on the drum, either with the edges lapped or abutted, and the tension-ngers F are permitted to act thereon, it is ready for the glue and to proceed with the attachmentfof the reeds. A.coat of glue is now applied to the canvas with a brush in the usual manner and to such extent as may be deemed practical, additional glue being supplied from time to time as the work progresses and when required. Then the reeds, whichare kept heated in an oven near at hand, are taken by the operator one by one and placedY with one edge against the rests H H and one end against the gage I', when, the machine having been started, the tuckers N swing down behind the reed and against its edge and press it forward upon the canvas on the revolving drum and under the bands S to the extent required, the bands pressing it by stress of their weight rmly into the glue as they move around with the drum carrying the canvas and reed to the extent of the feed movement,

when the tuckers retreat and another reed is placed in position in like manner, which in turn is acted upon by the tuckers, which again return to their work and by a yielding springpressure force the reed home under the bands and into contact with the preceding one, and so on. lf through slight variations in the reeds or from any other cause the ratchet-feed moving to the extent of, say, four teeth, spaces the reeds too far apart, then the shield over the ratchet-wheel may be brought into use in the manner already described to prevent the actuating-pawl from taking so many teeth at one throw and reducing it to, say, three teeth. Thus the uniformity desired in spacing or compacting thereeds on the canvas may be obtained. This operation of covering the can vas with reeds may go on automatically and expeditiously after the reeds are presented to the machine, as stated, and with great accuracy and perfection until the circumference of the great drum is covered with the completed work, thus producing material enough forl the construction of several rolltops or other articles at one operation. The pressure-bands constitute a moving .clamp which constantly exerts the needed pressure upon the reeds as they are successively introduced and throughoutthe progressive movement of the canvas. When the drum is thus fully covered or at any time when it may be desirable to remove the work therefrom, the canvasthus covered is severed from the uncovered portion, the bar G is turned to throw the edges of the rests HH upward out of the IOO IIO

path of the returning reeds H2, and the detent Zs being thrown out of engagement with the ratchet-Wheel the drum is turned backward by means of hand-Wheel Z, thus unwinding therefrom the completed strip or body of combined cloth and wood after sufficient time has been allowed for the proper hardening of the glue. The machine having been thus cleared of its completed product is again ready to proceed with a similar production in a like expeditious manner.

The weight on rope U counteracts the pull of weights T on bands S and restrains the tendency of weights T to turn the drum too rapidly when the work is being unwound and removed therefrom, thus relieving the work of the operator, who manipulates the handwheel at such time free from the check of the detent ZS.

The circumferential face of the drum serves as a supporting-table having a progressive movement, and the Weighted bands S, attached thereto, serve as correspondingly-progressive clamps, holding theV reeds under a constant pressure to the glued face of theintervening canvas and as long as the opera tion continues. A

The movable drum and bands and their mode of cooperation in accomplishing the purposes of the machine are the most essential features of my invention.

' v Iclaim- 1. The combination of a drum for supporting the flexible material to which the reeds are to be attached; mechanism having an adjustable movement for turning the drum intermittingly on its axis; Weighted. bands attached to, moving with, and pressing upon the circumference of the drum; and a rockshaft, and means for actuating the same, by which fingers are operated for pressing, with yielding pressure, t-he reeds successively between the bands and drum and onto the glued material, all substantially as specified.

2. The combination of a drum for supporting and moving the iiexible material to which the reeds are to be attached; a ratchet movement for turning the drinn intermittingly on its axis; Weighted bands arranged to press upon the circumference of the drum and to move therewith; a rock-shaft carrying fingers for pressing the reeds successively between the bands and drinn and onto the glued material; and mechanism for moving the rockshaft so as to open, or retract, the iin gers simultaneously with the retraction of the ratchet-pawls .of the feed movement, all substantiall y as specified.

23. The combination with the drum and -means for turning the same on its axis, of the guide-beam D arranged to be reversed, and

constructed with an eccentric part D', anda lip D2, and provided with adjustable outer edge-guides D3 and D4, whereby it is. adapted to either abut the adjoining edges of the material on the drum or to overlap them, as may be desired, all substantially as set forth.

et. In combination, drum C, mounted in frame A, upon shaft B: mechanism for turning the drum upon its shaft: guide-beam D, secured to frame A, below the'drum and arranged to direct the material to the drum: rock-shaft E, provided with an actuatingspring and tension-fingers, F, arranged to bear with the force'of the spring against the material passing over the guide-beam: shaft Q, secured in the frame above the drum and provided with grooved pulleys, R: a parallel shaft J, secured in frame A, below the top of the drum and provided with rolls K, corre` sponding in number to pulleys R: a'corresponding nu inherof bands, S, which pass over pulleys R, and under rolls K, and are provided with an equal number of weights T: and a counterweight attached to the drum and arranged to counteract the Weights on bands S, all substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. The combination of drum C, mounted and operated substantially as described, with pulleys R, arranged above the drum, on a shaft parallel therewith: rolls K, arranged below the top of the drum on a shaft parallel therewith: and a corresponding number of weighted bands passing oversaid pulleys and under said rolls, and attached to the drum, whereby the bands are forced to bear upon the front face of the drum, at the proper height to receive the reeds, substantially as shown and described.

6. The combination with drum C, and the band-clamps, S, ofthe rock-shaft, M, provided With springs P, and fingers N, and actuated by the cam Y2, to open the fingers, and springs P, to close them upon the reeds, substantially as described.

7. In combination with rock-shaft E, carrying the tension-fingers F, and provided with an arm F', and actuating-spring F2, the handie-lever E,`provided with a catch E2, which is arranged to interlock with the hub E3, to restrain the action of spring, F2, and release the goods from the tension, as and for the purposes specified.

ISAAC S. CRAIG.

Vitnesses:

EUGENE HUMPHREY, SAML. F. GoULD. 

